McManus fancies Hedgehunter

RACING: Legendary gambler JP McManus yesterday admitted to having had "a few quid" each-way on Le Coudray in today's Martell Cognac Grand National.

McManus owns the top-weight along with three other runners, Risk Accessor, Spot Thedifference and Clan Royal.

He said: "I had a few quid on Le Coudray each-way at 40 to 1 yesterday. I thought it was a very big price.

"But I would be a little worried about the ground. I'd like to see a drop of rain here. It's starting to get a little quicker and it does concern me a little bit. But if we get a drop of rain he's a horse I would expect to run a fair race."

Le Coudray is a 25 to 1 chance with William Hill.

McManus continued: "Clan Royal has done well round here. He's won his two efforts round Aintree. He wasn't the kind of horse this time last year that I thought would be a major fancy for the National, but he's here now and he'll take his chance. He's well, but he's short enough."

Clan Royal is vying for favouritism. "It would be great if they did do well and we got some of them to run well."

McManus nominated Irish challenger Hedgehunter as a runner with a good chance.

"I think Hedgehunter is going to take a lot of beating," he added. "If I had my choice of horse in the race I think that's the one I'd probably go for."

Jockey Carl Llewellyn was in confident mood ahead of his bid for a third Grand National success - he teams up with Bindaree - although he must pass the doctor after a wrist injury yesterday.

Llewellyn tasted Aintree glory for the first time on Party Politics in 1992 and again on Earth Summit six years later.

Last year the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Bindaree finished sixth in the four-and-a-half-mile marathon.

"His form this season, having won the Welsh National, is better than it was last year," said Llewellyn. "It was a very good effort last season after nearly falling at Becher's second time and being down on his belly.

"People often say a horse is better than ever and all that sort of thing, but he really does seem to be at home. He is in fantastic form. Of course you need a lot of luck to put in a clear round but he must have a great chance."

Some cut in the ground would certainly help Bindaree's cause, and Llewellyn added: "We could do with some rain. He has won a couple of times on fast ground, but the difference is that on soft ground, it knocks out some of the other horses and makes it even more of a stamina test. The softer the better for him."

Twiston-Davies also saddles Shardam, and Llewellyn added: "He is in very good form too and it wasn't easy to choose between the two. But Bindaree is in great form and it would be a good way to end a career."

Monty's Pass trainer Jimmy Mangan believes last year's winner has a good chance of being involved in the finish again.

"Monty's Pass came to Liverpool early yesterday morning and I couldn't be happier with him," said the Co Cork-based trainer.

"He cantered on the track this morning and I was very pleased. He comes to life in the spring. I think he will run a very big race. He loves Liverpool and you know what they say about horses for courses.

"I would recommend a little each-way bet and I am expecting him to be in the frame."

Mark Bradburne will be riding Martin Pipe's smart hunter Lord Atterbury for the first time.

"My agent, Russ James, did a great job and got me the ride," Bradburne said.

"I could have ridden Smarty, but Lord Atterbury is unexposed.

"I've never sat on the horse but I saw a lot of him last year and I know his connections think a lot of him.

"He was disappointing at Cheltenham (pulled up) but he's been given a mark of 130 and if he runs to that he could go well."

Pipe's son David added: "He's no different now than he was before he disappointed at Cheltenham.

"We don't really know why he ran so poorly, although Ashley (Farrant, his jockey) said he felt the ground was too soft. I can't see it that way, but he was the man on top, and the horse did win easily on good, fast ground last year."

Mick Fitzgerald, who won on Rough Quest in 1996, will be on Kingsmark this time if he passes the doctor after a fall, and the grey is another who would benefit from some cut in the ground.

Fitzgerald said: "I'd really fancy him if the ground was soft."